U.S. patent application number 16/433181 was filed with the patent office on 2019-12-19 for evacuation/fill station for radioactive fluid container production.
The applicant listed for this patent is Curium US LLC. Invention is credited to Kevin B. Graves, Sumit Verma.
Application Number | 20190382143 16/433181 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68839158 |
Filed Date | 2019-12-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190382143 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Verma; Sumit ; et
al. |
December 19, 2019 |
EVACUATION/FILL STATION FOR RADIOACTIVE FLUID CONTAINER
PRODUCTION
Abstract
A unit dose container production system (10) is disclosed where
a unit dose container (130) is evacuated and thereafter loaded with
a radioactive fluid while remaining at a single location. In this
regard, the production system (10) uses a first conveyor (12) to
sequentially load unit dose containers (130) into an empty
container receptacle (24) of a second conveyor (20) at a first
location (90). The second conveyor (20) may be operated to dispose
a container receptacle (24) at each of the first location (90), a
second location (100), and a third location (110). A unit dose
container (130) at the second location (100) is evacuated and
thereafter loaded with a radioactive fluid, and is thereafter moved
to a third location (110) by the second conveyor (20). The unit
dose container (130) is removed from the second conveyor (20) at
the third location (110), and thereafter the radioactivity content
of a unit dose container (130) may be determined, such as at an
ionization chamber or the like.
Inventors: |
Verma; Sumit; (Chesterfield,
MO) ; Graves; Kevin B.; (Catawissa, MO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Curium US LLC |
St. Louis |
MO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68839158 |
Appl. No.: |
16/433181 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62685071 |
Jun 14, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 57/12 20130101;
B65B 59/001 20190501; B65B 57/145 20130101; B65B 31/08 20130101;
B65B 57/10 20130101; B65B 43/52 20130101; B65B 31/044 20130101;
B65B 3/003 20130101; B65B 3/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/00 20060101
B65B003/00; B65B 43/52 20060101 B65B043/52; B65B 57/10 20060101
B65B057/10; B65B 3/12 20060101 B65B003/12; B65B 31/04 20060101
B65B031/04 |
Claims
1. A method of producing unit dose containers of radioactive fluid,
comprising the steps of: a first operating step comprising
operating a first conveyor to sequentially transport a plurality of
containers to a first location; loading each container of said
plurality of containers, that is transported to said first location
by said first conveyor, onto a second conveyor; a second operating
step comprising operating said second conveyor to transport said
container, that is currently at said first location, from said
first location to a second location; removing a first fluid from
said container that is currently at said second location;
dispensing a second fluid into said container that is currently at
said second location, wherein said dispensing step is executed
after said removing step, and wherein said second fluid is
radioactive; and said second operating step further comprising
operating said second conveyor to transport said container, that is
currently at said second location, from said second location to a
third location.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating a first conveyor
step comprises advancing each said container of said plurality of
containers along a common axial path, and wherein said second
operating step comprise rotating said second conveyor.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said second conveyor comprises a
plurality of container receptacles that are disposed in spaced
relation to one another, and wherein an empty container receptacle
of said plurality of container receptacles is at said first
location for each execution of said loading step.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein when a first container of said
plurality of containers is in a first container receptacle of said
plurality of receptacles and is disposed at said first location, a
second container receptacle of said plurality of receptacles is
disposed at said third location, and wherein said second operating
step further comprises operating said second conveyor to
simultaneously: transport said first container from said first
location to said second location; and transport said second
container receptacle away from said third location and in a
direction of said first location.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said first conveyor comprises
extending at least from said first location to at least to said
third location, and wherein a second container of said plurality of
containers is in said second container receptacle of said second
conveyor when said second container receptacle is at said third
location, said method further comprising: transporting said second
container away from said third location prior to transporting said
first container from said first location to said second location
using said second conveyor; and measuring a radioactivity content
of said second container after being transported away from said
third location.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said removing a first fluid step
comprises generating a vacuum within said container while at said
second location, wherein said removing a first fluid step comprises
removing air from said container while at said second location, and
wherein said dispensing a second fluid step comprises dispensing
xenon gas into said container that is currently at said second
location.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said removing a first fluid step
comprises operating one pump, and wherein said dispensing a second
fluid step comprises operating another pump.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein each said container of said
plurality of containers comprises a seal, said method further
comprising: directing a dispensing needle through said seal of said
container that is currently at said second location, wherein said
removing step and said dispensing step, for said container that is
currently at said second location, are each executed through said
dispensing needle and after said directing step.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein a first pump and a second pump
are each fluidly connectable with said dispensing needle through a
diverter valve, said method further comprising: disposing said
diverter valve in a second position to fluidly connect said second
pump with said dispensing needle for execution of said removing a
first fluid step; and disposing said diverter valve in a first
position to fluidly connect said first pump with said dispensing
needle for execution of said dispensing a second fluid step.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: returning said
diverter valve from said first position back to said second
position after said dispensing a second fluid step; and directing a
third fluid into said container, through said dispensing needle,
and after said returning step.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said first fluid that is
removed from said container that is currently at said second
location is air, and wherein said directing a third fluid step
comprises passing air through a filter prior to entering said
dispensing needle for provision to said container that is currently
at said second location.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: measuring a
radioactivity content of said container at some point in time after
said container has been transported to said third location; and
disposing each said container in its own shielded transport
container at some point in time after execution of its
corresponding said dispensing a second fluid step.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein said second operating step
comprises moving said second conveyor in predetermined increments
where said second conveyor is stationary between each incremental
movement of said second conveyor.
14. A system for producing unit dose containers of radioactive
fluid, comprising: a first conveyor operable to sequentially
transport a plurality of containers to a first location; a second
conveyor comprising a plurality of container receptacles that are
disposed in spaced relation to one another, wherein said second
conveyor is operable to sequentially position a given container
receptacle of said plurality of container receptacles at each of
said first location, a second location, and a third location,
wherein said first, second, and third locations are spaced from one
another; a dispensing needle aligned with said second location; an
actuator that is operable to advance said dispensing needle
relative to a container when disposed in one of said container
receptacles of said second conveyor and while at said second
location; a vacuum source fluidly connectable with said dispensing
needle; and a radioactive fluid source fluidly connectable with
said dispensing needle.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein said first conveyor is a linear
conveyor.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein said second conveyor is a
rotatable turntable.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein said actuator is a linear
actuator that is operable to move said dispensing needle in a first
direction and in a second direction that is opposite of the first
direction.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein said vacuum source comprises a
pump.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein said vacuum source comprises an
evacuation syringe.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein said radioactive fluid source
comprises a pump.
21. The system of claim 14, wherein said radioactive fluid source
comprises a dispensing syringe.
22. The system of claim 14, further comprising a diverter valve
disposed between said dispensing needle and each of said vacuum
source and said radioactive fluid source.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein said diverter valve is
disposable in a first position to allow fluid communication between
said radioactive fluid source and said dispensing needle, and
wherein said diverter valve is disposable in a second position to
allow fluid communication between said vacuum source and said
dispensing needle.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein said diverter valve is also
disposable in said second position to allow fluid communication
between an atmospheric air source and said dispensing needle, said
system further comprising a filter between said atmospheric air
source and said dispensing needle.
25. The system of claim 14, wherein said first conveyor extends at
least from said first location to said third location.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a non-provisional patent
application of, and claims the benefit, pending U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/685,071, that was filed on Jun. 14, 2018,
and the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention is applicable to radioactive fluid
containers (i.e., a container with a radioactive fluid) and, more
particularly, to the manner of evacuating fluid from a container
and thereafter loading a radioactive fluid into the container.
BACKGROUND
[0003] One prior art approach for the production of Xenon gas vials
entails evacuating a batch of vials. This batch of vials is then
transferred to a loading station where Xenon gas may be dispensed
into the pre-evacuated vials one-at-a-time. One problem with this
approach is that there may be a reduction in the vacuum within a
given vial, prior to the time that the Xenon gas is dispensed into
the vial. This may result in a reduced amount of Xenon gas being
dispensed into a given vial. This in turn may be a problem to a
purchaser of such vials. In at least certain circumstances, this
may render the vial not usable for one or more applications.
SUMMARY
[0004] A first aspect of the present invention is embodied by a
method of producing fluid containers (e.g., a unit dose container,
where each such container includes a unit dose of, for instance,
fluid such as a gas or combination of gases). A first conveyor is
operated to transport (e.g., sequentially, or one-at-a-time) a
plurality of containers to a first location where each such
container is loaded onto and/or is engaged by a second conveyor.
The second conveyor may be operated to transport a container from
the first location to a second location. Two operations are
conducted on a container that has been transported to the second
location by operation of the second conveyor. A first fluid (e.g.,
air) may be removed from a container while at the second location.
A second fluid (e.g., a radioactive fluid, such as Xenon gas) may
be dispensed into a container while at the second location after
first fluid has first been removed from the container. At some
point in time after the completion of at least these two
operations, the second conveyor is operated to transport the
associated container from the second location to a third location.
As such, a container in accordance with the first aspect is
transported from the first location to the second location, and
some time thereafter is then transported from the second location
to a third location (e.g., the second location is somewhere between
the first location and the third location).
[0005] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the first aspect of the present invention. These
feature refinements and additional features may be used
individually or in any combination. The following discussion is
applicable to the first aspect, up to the start of the discussion
of a second aspect of the present invention. The first conveyor may
be of any appropriate configuration, for instance a conveyor belt
that when operated transports a plurality of containers along a
common axial path. The second conveyor may also be of any
appropriate configuration, for instance a turntable that rotates
about an axis. Any appropriate drive source may be used for
operation of the first conveyor and the second conveyor (e.g., a
separate motor for each of the first conveyor and the second
conveyor).
[0006] Operation of the first conveyor and the second conveyor may
be on at least somewhat of a timed basis. Consider the case where
both the first conveyor and the second conveyor are indexed or
incrementally advanced on some timed basis. The first conveyor may
be moved one increment and then maintained in this position,
followed by the second conveyor being moved one increment (e.g.,
90.degree. about a rotational axis for the second conveyor) and
then being maintained in this position, and this may be repeated
any appropriate number of times. The incremental movement of the
first conveyor may be used to load a new container onto the second
conveyor. The subsequent incremental movement of the second
conveyor may transport a first container from the first location to
the second location.
[0007] The second conveyor may include a plurality of container
receptacles that are disposed in spaced relation to one another.
One embodiment has these container receptacles being on a perimeter
of the second conveyor (e.g., in the form of a semi-circular notch
or the like). The plurality of container receptacles may be
disposed in equally spaced relation about a rotational axis of the
second conveyor. One embodiment has the second conveyor including
only two container receptacles that are positioned 180.degree.
apart relative to a rotational axis of the second conveyor. In this
case, one container receptacle may be positioned at the first
location and another container receptacle may be positioned at the
third location, with the second location being between the first
and third locations (e.g., the second location may be 90.degree.
from the first location relative to a rotational axis for the
second conveyor, and the third location may be 90.degree. from the
second location (relative to the rotational axis) such that the
first and third locations are 180.degree. apart (relative to the
rotational axis)). There may be a fourth location that is between
the third location and the first location (e.g., the fourth
location being 90.degree. from each of the first location and third
location relative to a rotational axis for the second conveyor such
that the second and fourth locations are 180.degree. apart). One of
the pair of container receptacles may then be positioned at the
second location, and the other one of the pair of container
receptacles may then be positioned at the fourth location. The
second conveyor thereby may be operated to simultaneously dispose
the pair of container receptacles at either the first and third
locations, or at the second and fourth locations.
[0008] As an alternative to the foregoing, the second conveyor
could include four equally-spaced container receptacles (e.g.,
disposed 90.degree. apart relative to a rotational axis of the
second conveyor). In this case, a separate container receptacle of
the second conveyor could be simultaneously disposed at each of the
noted first, second, third, and fourth locations. Operation of the
second conveyor in this case may entail moving the second conveyor
and then terminating this motion to position a separate container
receptacle at each of the first, second, third, and fourth
locations.
[0009] The second conveyor may be operated to dispose an empty
container receptacle at the first location for receipt of a
container from the first conveyor. Motion of the second conveyor
may be terminated to dispose an empty container receptacle at the
first location. Operation of the first conveyor may itself position
a container from the first conveyor into the empty container
receptacle that has been disposed at the first location by the
second conveyor. For instance, motion of the first conveyor may be
terminated when a container from the first conveyor has been
positioned in an empty container receptacle of the second conveyor,
including where part of the first conveyor is disposed directly
below the empty container receptacle of the second conveyor at the
first location. In any case and at this time, a separate container
receptacle of the second conveyor may be disposed at the third
location when the second conveyor is stationary and for the case
where the second conveyor includes only two container receptacles.
When a first container from the first conveyor has been directed
onto the second conveyor at the first location, the second conveyor
thereafter may be operated to simultaneously: i) transport the
first container from the first location to the second location; ii)
to transport an empty container receptacle away from the third
location (e.g., to a fourth location), for instance after removing
a different container from the second conveyor while at the third
location.
[0010] A first fluid (e.g., air) is removed from a container that
is at the second location. One embodiment has this removal
including generating a vacuum within the container. Any appropriate
negative pressure may be generated within the container at the
second location. Removal of the first fluid from a container that
is at the second location may include operating one pump (e.g., an
evacuation syringe), while the subsequent dispensing of a second
fluid into this same container while at this same second location
may include operating another pump (e.g., a dispensing syringe).
Once the second fluid has been loaded into a container at the
second location, the second conveyor is operated to transport this
container from the second location to the third location where the
second conveyor then stops. The container may be removed from the
second conveyor while at the third location, and may be transported
in any appropriate manner to one or more additional locations
(e.g., using the first conveyor). One of these locations may
correspond with an ionization chamber, where a radioactivity
content of the container may be measured. Operation of the first
conveyor may transport the container from the third location to the
ionization chamber. The container also may be disposed in an
appropriately shielded container or containment structure (e.g., to
at least reduce radiation emissions into the environment based upon
the container contents) at some point in time after being
transported from the third location as well, for instance after
being assayed.
[0011] Each of the various containers may include a seal (e.g., a
rubber septum, plug, or the like). A dispensing needle may be
directed through the seal of a container that is at the second
location. This dispensing needle may be used to remove first fluid
from the container while at the second location, and thereafter may
be used to dispense a second fluid into this same container while
still at the second location. One embodiment has both a first pump
and a second pump being fluidly connectable with this same
dispensing needle through an appropriate valve, such as a diverter
valve. The diverter valve may be disposed in a second position to
fluidly connect the second pump with the dispensing needle for the
removal of first fluid from a container while at the second
location. The diverter valve may be disposed in a first position to
fluidly connect the first pump with the dispensing needle for the
subsequent dispensing of second fluid into this same container
while remaining at the second location. The diverter valve
thereafter may be disposed back in its second position and a third
fluid may be dispensed into the same container through the same
dispensing needle and while this container remains at the second
location. The dispensing of the third fluid into the container at
the second location may include realizing atmospheric pressure
within the container. One embodiment has this third fluid being
air, including atmospheric air that is first passed through a
filter prior to being directed into the container while at the
second location.
[0012] A second aspect of the present invention is embodied by a
system for producing fluid containers (e.g., a unit dose container,
where each such container includes a unit dose of, for instance,
fluid such as a gas or combination of gases). A first conveyor is
operable to sequentially transport a plurality of containers to a
first location (e.g., to dispose one container at the first
location, and some time thereafter to dispose another container at
this same first location). A second conveyor comprises a plurality
of container receptacles that are disposed in spaced relation to
one another. This second conveyor is operable to sequentially
position a given container receptacle at the first location, then
at a second location, and then at a third location, where the
first, second, and third locations are spaced from one another
(e.g., with the second location being somewhere between the first
and third locations). This same sequence may apply to each
container receptacle used by the second conveyor. In any case, a
dispensing needle is aligned with the second location. An actuator
is operable to advance the dispensing needle relative to a
container when disposed in one of the container receptacles of the
second conveyor and while this container is at the noted second
location. A vacuum source is fluidly connectable with the
dispensing needle, as well as a fluid source.
[0013] A number of feature refinements and additional features are
applicable to the second aspect of the present invention. These
feature refinements and additional features may be used
individually or in any combination. The following discussion is
applicable to at least the second aspect. The vacuum source may be
in the form of one pump (e.g., an evacuation syringe), and the
fluid source may be in the form of another pump (e.g., a dispensing
syringe). The first and second conveyors for the second aspect may
be as addressed above in relation to the first aspect.
[0014] Any feature of any other various aspects of the present
invention that is intended to be limited to a "singular" context or
the like will be clearly set forth herein by terms such as "only,"
"single," "limited to," or the like. Merely introducing a feature
in accordance with commonly accepted antecedent basis practice does
not limit the corresponding feature to the singular. Moreover, any
failure to use phrases such as "at least one" also does not limit
the corresponding feature to the singular. Use of the phrase "at
least generally" or the like in relation to a particular feature
encompasses the corresponding characteristic and insubstantial
variations thereof. Finally, a reference of a feature in
conjunction with the phrase "in one embodiment" does not limit the
use of the feature to a single embodiment. One particularly
desirable application of the present invention pertains to unit
dose containers for radioactive fluids. Various radioactive fluids
may be dispensed into containers at the second location and in
accordance with the present invention, including one or more
unstable isotopes of Xenon, and further including Xenon in the form
of a gas.
[0015] Various aspects of the present invention are also addressed
by the following paragraphs and in the noted combinations:
[0016] 1. A method of producing unit dose containers of radioactive
fluid, comprising the steps of: a first operating step comprising
operating a first conveyor to sequentially transport a plurality of
containers to a first location;
loading each container of said plurality of containers, that is
transported to said first location by said first conveyor, onto a
second conveyor; a second operating step comprising operating said
second conveyor to transport said container, that is currently at
said first location, from said first location to a second location;
removing a first fluid from said container that is currently at
said second location; dispensing a second fluid into said container
that is currently at said second location, wherein said dispensing
step is executed after said removing step, and wherein said second
fluid is radioactive; and said second operating step further
comprising operating said second conveyor to transport said
container, that is currently at said second location, from said
second location to a third location.
[0017] 2. The method of paragraph 1, wherein said operating a first
conveyor step comprises advancing each said container of said
plurality of containers along a common axial path.
[0018] 3. The method of any of paragraphs 1-2, wherein said second
operating step comprise rotating said second conveyor.
[0019] 4. The method of any of paragraphs 1-3, wherein said second
conveyor comprises a rotatable turntable.
[0020] 5. The method of any of paragraphs 1-4, wherein said second
conveyor comprises a plurality of container receptacles that are
disposed in spaced relation to one another, wherein an empty
container receptacle of said plurality of container receptacles is
at said first location for each execution of said loading step.
[0021] 6. The method of paragraph 5, wherein when a first container
of said plurality of containers is in a first container receptacle
of said plurality of receptacles and is disposed at said first
location, a second container receptacle of said plurality of
receptacles is disposed at said third location.
[0022] 7. The method of paragraph 6, wherein said second operating
step further comprises operating said second conveyor to
simultaneously:
transport said first container from said first location to said
second location; and transport said second container receptacle
away from said third location and in a direction of said first
location.
[0023] 8. The method of paragraph 7, wherein said first conveyor
comprises extending at least from said first location to at least
to said third location.
9. The method of paragraph 8, wherein a second container of said
plurality of containers is in said second container receptacle of
said second conveyor when said second container receptacle is at
said third location, said method further comprising: transporting
said second container away from said third location prior to
transporting said first container from said first location to said
second location using said second conveyor; and measuring a
radioactivity content of said second container after being
transported away from said third location.
[0024] 10. The method of any of paragraphs 7-9, wherein each said
container of said plurality of containers comprises a seal, said
method further comprising:
directing a dispensing needle through said seal of said first
container while at said second location, wherein said removing step
and said dispensing step, for said first container that is
currently at said second location, are each executed through said
dispensing needle and after said directing step associated with
said first container.
[0025] 11. The method of paragraph 10, wherein a first pump and a
second pump are each fluidly connectable with said dispensing
needle through a diverter valve, said method further
comprising:
disposing said diverter valve in a second position to fluidly
connect said second pump with said dispensing needle for execution
of said removing a first fluid step for said first container while
at said second location; and disposing said diverter valve in a
first position to fluidly connect said first pump with said
dispensing needle for execution of said dispensing a second fluid
step for said first container while at said second location.
[0026] 12. The method of paragraph 11, further comprising:
returning said diverter valve from said first position back to said
second position after said dispensing a second fluid step for said
first container while at said second location; and directing a
third fluid into said container, through said dispensing needle,
and after said returning step for said first container while at
said second location.
[0027] 13. The method of paragraph 12, wherein said directing a
third fluid step for said first container while at said second
location comprises realizing atmospheric pressure within said first
container.
[0028] 14. The method of any of paragraphs 12-13, wherein said
first fluid that is removed from said first container while at said
second location is air, and wherein said third fluid that is
directed into said first container while at said second location is
air.
[0029] 15. The method of any of paragraphs 12-14, wherein said
directing a third fluid step comprises passing air through a filter
prior to entering said dispensing needle for provision to said
first container while at said second location.
[0030] 16. The method of any of paragraphs 7-15, wherein said
second operating step comprises maintaining said second conveyor in
a stationary position with said first container being at said first
location and with said second container receptacle being at said
third location.
[0031] 17. The method of any of paragraphs 6-16, wherein said
second operating step comprises moving said second conveyor in
predetermined increments where said second conveyor is stationary
between each incremental movement of said second conveyor, wherein
said first container is at said second location and said second
container receptacle is at a fourth location after one said
incremental movement of said second conveyor, wherein said first,
second, third, and fourth locations are spaced from one another and
in this order proceeding about a rotational axis of said second
conveyor.
[0032] 18. The method of any of paragraphs 1-5, wherein said
removing a first fluid step comprises generating a vacuum within
said container while at said second location.
[0033] 19. The method of any of paragraphs 1-5 and 18, wherein said
removing a first fluid step comprises removing air from said
container while at said second location.
[0034] 20. The method of any of paragraphs 1-5, 18, and 19, wherein
said removing a first fluid step comprises operating one pump, and
wherein said dispensing a second fluid step comprises operating
another pump.
[0035] 21. The method of any of paragraphs 1-5 and 18-20, wherein
said dispensing a second fluid step comprises dispensing xenon gas
into said container that is currently at said second location.
[0036] 22. The method of any of paragraphs 1-5 and 18-21, wherein
each said container of said plurality of containers comprises a
seal, said method further comprising:
directing a dispensing needle through said seal of said container
that is currently at said second location, wherein said removing
step and said dispensing step, for said container that is currently
at said second location, are each executed through said dispensing
needle and after said directing step.
[0037] 23. The method of paragraph 22, wherein a first pump and a
second pump are each fluidly connectable with said dispensing
needle through a diverter valve, said method further
comprising:
disposing said diverter valve in a second position to fluidly
connect said second pump with said dispensing needle for execution
of said removing a first fluid step; and disposing said diverter
valve in a first position to fluidly connect said first pump with
said dispensing needle for execution of said dispensing a second
fluid step.
[0038] 24. The method of paragraph 23, further comprising:
returning said diverter valve from said first position back to said
second position after said dispensing a second fluid step; and
directing a third fluid into said container, through said
dispensing needle, and after said returning step.
[0039] 25. The method of paragraph 24, wherein said directing a
third fluid step comprises realizing atmospheric pressure within
said container.
[0040] 26. The method of any of paragraphs 24-25, wherein said
first fluid that is removed from said container that is currently
at said second location is air, and wherein said third fluid that
is directed into said container that is currently at said second
location is air.
[0041] 27. The method of any of paragraphs 24-26, wherein said
directing a third fluid step comprises passing air through a filter
prior to entering said dispensing needle for provision to said
container that is currently at said second location.
[0042] 28. The method of any of paragraphs 1-5 and 18-27, wherein
said second operating step comprises transporting said container
from said second location to said third location.
[0043] 29. The method of paragraph 28, further comprising:
measuring a radioactivity content of said container at some point
in time after said container has been transported to said third
location.
[0044] 30. The method of paragraph 29, further comprising:
disposing said container in a shielded container after said
measuring step.
[0045] 31. The method of any of paragraphs 1-29, further
comprising:
disposing each said container in its own shielded transport
container at some point in time after execution of its
corresponding said dispensing a second fluid step.
[0046] 32. The method of any of paragraphs 1-5 and 18-31, wherein
said second operating step comprises moving said second conveyor in
predetermined increments where said second conveyor is stationary
between each incremental movement of said second conveyor.
[0047] 33. A system for producing unit dose containers of
radioactive fluid, comprising:
a first conveyor operable to sequentially transport a plurality of
containers to a first location; a second conveyor comprising a
plurality of container receptacles that are disposed in spaced
relation to one another, wherein said second conveyor is operable
to sequentially position a given container receptacle of said
plurality of container receptacles at each of said first location,
a second location, and a third location, wherein said first,
second, and third locations are spaced from one another; a
dispensing needle aligned with said second location; an actuator
that is operable to advance said dispensing needle relative to a
container when disposed in one of said container receptacles of
said second conveyor and while at said second location; a vacuum
source fluidly connectable with said dispensing needle; and a
radioactive fluid source fluidly connectable with said dispensing
needle.
[0048] 34. The system of paragraph 33, wherein said first conveyor
is a linear conveyor.
[0049] 35. The system of any of paragraphs 33-34, wherein said
second conveyor is a rotatable turntable.
[0050] 36. The system of any of paragraphs 33-35, wherein said
actuator is a linear actuator that is operable to move said
dispensing needle in a first direction and in a second direction
that is opposite of the first direction.
[0051] 37. The system of any of paragraphs 33-36, wherein said
vacuum source comprises a pump.
[0052] 38. The system of any of paragraphs 33-37, wherein said
vacuum source comprises an evacuation syringe.
[0053] 39. The system of any of paragraphs 33-38, wherein said
radioactive fluid source comprises a pump.
[0054] 40. The system of any of paragraphs 33-39, wherein said
radioactive fluid source comprises a dispensing syringe.
[0055] 41. The system of any of paragraphs 33-40, further
comprising a diverter valve disposed between said dispensing needle
and each of said vacuum source and said radioactive fluid
source.
[0056] 42. The system of paragraph 41, wherein said diverter valve
is disposable in a first position to allow fluid communication
between said radioactive fluid source and said dispensing needle,
and wherein said diverter valve is disposable in a second position
to allow fluid communication between said vacuum source and said
dispensing needle.
[0057] 43. The system of paragraph 42, wherein said diverter valve
is also disposable in said second position to allow fluid
communication between an atmospheric air source and said dispensing
needle, said system further comprising a filter between said
atmospheric air source and said dispensing needle.
[0058] 44. The system of any of paragraphs 33-43, wherein said
first conveyor extends at least from said first location to said
third location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0059] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a unit
dose container production system for radioactive fluids.
[0060] FIG. 2 is a top or plan view of a turntable that is used by
the unit dose container production system of FIG. 1, and that
illustrates a plurality of different locations where a unit dose
container may be sequentially positioned for execution of one or
more operations.
[0061] FIG. 3 is a schematic of an evacuation/dispensing system
used by the unit dose container production system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0062] One embodiment of a unit dose container production system is
illustrated in FIG. 1 and is identified by reference numeral 10.
The production system 10 includes a first conveyor 12 and a second
conveyor 20 (in the form of a turntable for the illustrated
embodiment). The first conveyor 12 transports (e.g., sequentially)
a plurality of unit dose containers 130 to the second conveyor 20.
The second conveyor 20 transports (e.g., sequentially) containers
130 to a number of different locations, where at least one
operation may be undertaken at a given location.
[0063] The first conveyor 12 may be of any appropriate type, for
instance in the form of a conveyor belt that transports the unit
dose containers 130 at least generally along an axial or linear
path 14 (e.g., advanced by operation of an appropriate drive
source, such as a motor). As noted, the second conveyor 20 is in
the form of a turntable for the illustrated embodiment, and is
rotatable about a rotational axis 22 (e.g., by operation of an
appropriate drive source, such as a motor). A plurality of
container receptacles 24 are incorporated by the second conveyor 20
(FIGS. 1 and 2). In the illustrated embodiment, each container
receptacle 24 is incorporated on a perimeter of the second conveyor
20, and the container receptacles 24 are disposed in equally-spaced
relation about/relative to the rotational axis 22 (180.degree.
apart in the illustrated embodiment). There are two container
receptacles 24 in the illustrated embodiment, although any
appropriate number of container receptacles 24 may be utilized.
[0064] The first conveyor 12 may be characterized as sequentially
transporting a plurality of unit dose containers 130 to a first
location 90. This first location 90 may be characterized as a
loading station where a unit dose container 130 from the first
conveyor 12 is directed into an empty one of the container
receptacles 24 of the second conveyor 20 (an empty container
receptacle 24 that is at the first location 90). In this regard,
part of the first conveyor 12 may be disposed directly below the
second conveyor 20 at the first location 90. Rotation of the second
conveyor 20 may be terminated once one of its empty container
receptacles 24 is appropriately aligned with the axial path 14
along which the unit dose containers 130 are being advanced by the
first conveyor 12 (i.e., to position such an empty container
receptacle 24 at the first location 90, and typically while the
second conveyor 20 remains stationary). Operation of the first
conveyor 12 may then directly position a unit dose container 130
into an empty container receptacle 24 that is at the first location
90 (i.e., a separate "transfer apparatus" is not required). As at
least part of the first conveyor 12 extends under the second
conveyor 20 at the first location 90, motion of the first conveyor
12 may be terminated to align one if its containers 130 with the
empty container receptacle 24 of the second conveyor 20 that is at
the first location 90.
[0065] The second conveyor 20 may be operated to move a unit dose
container 130 from the first location 90 to a second location 100
(FIGS. 1 and 2), and where movement of the second conveyor 20 is
then terminated. The second location 100 may be characterized as an
evacuation/dispensing station. An evacuation/dispensing system 30
may be operated to evacuate fluid from a unit dose container 130
that is that the second location 100, and furthermore may be
operated to thereafter dispense an appropriate fluid into the unit
dose container 130 while still at the second location 100. That is,
rotation of the second conveyor 20 may be terminated when a unit
dose container 130 has been transported from the first location 90
to the second location 100, and during which time the second
conveyor 20 remains stationary for execution of the noted
operations.
[0066] Details regarding an embodiment of the evacuation/dispensing
system 30 are illustrated in both FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. The
evacuation/dispensing system includes a linear actuator 32 for
advancing a dispensing needle 38 along an axial path, namely to
direct the dispensing needle 38 through a seal 132 of a unit dose
container 130 that is positioned at the second location 100, and to
thereafter to retract the dispensing needle 38 away from the unit
dose container 130 such that the second conveyor 20 may be operated
to transport the unit dose container 130 from the second location
100 to a third location 110 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The dispensing needle
38 extends from a manifold 34 that is advanced by the linear
actuator 32. A diverter or manifold valve 36 may be moved between
two different positions to provide two different flowpaths through
the manifold 34.
[0067] Two different operations are executed while a unit dose
container 130 is at the second location 100, and with the noted
dispensing needle 38 having been directed through the seal 132 of
this unit dose container 130 such that dispensing needle 38 is in
fluid communication with the interior storage space of this
particular unit dose container 130. First, fluid is evacuated from
the interior storage space of the unit dose container 130 (that is
positioned at the second location 100, and with the second conveyor
20 being stationary) by operation of an evacuation syringe 60 of
the evacuation/dispensing system 30 (and where the diverter valve
36 for the manifold 34 has been moved to a position where the
manifold 34 is in fluid communication with the evacuation syringe
60 via evacuation tubing 72). Thereafter, a radioactive fluid is
dispensed into the interior storage space of the unit dose
container 130 (that is positioned at the second location 100, and
with the second conveyor 20 being stationary) by operation of a
dispensing syringe 40 of the evacuation/dispensing system 30 (where
the diverter valve 36 for the manifold 34 has been moved to another
position where the manifold 34 is now in fluid communication with
the dispensing syringe 40 via tubing 54).
[0068] The evacuation syringe 60 may include a piston 62 that is
disposed within a cylinder 64 and that is advanced along an axial
path (e.g., by a shaft 66 and/or operation of an appropriate motor
or other drive source, for instance a servo motor). A multi-port or
multi-flow channel valve 68 is utilized by the evacuation syringe
60 to provide separate and distinct flowpaths. When the valve 68
for the evacuation syringe 60 is in one position (and with the
diverter valve 36 for the manifold being positioned to allow fluid
to flow from the dispensing needle 38, through the manifold 34, and
to the evacuation tubing 72), the cylinder 64 of the evacuation
syringe 60 is then in fluid communication with the interior storage
space of the unit dose container 130 (that is positioned at the
second location 100) by the evacuation tubing 72 that extends
between the evacuation syringe 60 and the manifold 34. At this
time, the evacuation syringe 60 may be operated to move the piston
62 in the direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 3. Fluid (e.g.,
air) will thereby be withdrawn out of the unit dose container 130
(that is at the second location 100), through the manifold 34,
through the evacuation tubing 72, and into the cylinder 64 of the
evacuation syringe 60. This creates a vacuum (i.e., a negative
pressure) within the unit dose container 130 that is at the second
location 100.
[0069] The dispensing syringe 40 may include a piston 42 that is
disposed within a cylinder 44 and that is advanced along an axial
path (e.g., by a shaft 46 and/or operation of an appropriate motor
or other drive source). A multi-port or multi-flow channel valve 48
is utilized by the dispensing syringe 40 to provide to provide
separate and distinct flowpaths. When the valve 48 for the
dispensing syringe 40 is in one position, the cylinder 44 of the
dispensing syringe 40 is in fluid communication a radioactive fluid
source 52 (e.g., one or more unstable isotopes of Xenon gas) by
tubing 50. Radioactive fluid may then be transferred from the
radioactive fluid source 52 to the cylinder 44 of the dispensing
syringe 40 (e.g., by moving the piston 48 in the direction of arrow
A in FIG. 3). At this time, the dispensing syringe 40 is fluidly
isolated from both the unit dose container 130 (that is at the
second location 100) and the evacuation syringe 60.
[0070] After the unit dose container 130 (that is at the second
location 100) has been evacuated in the above-noted manner by the
evacuation syringe 60, radioactive fluid may be transferred from
the dispensing syringe 40 to this unit dose container 130. In this
regard, the diverter valve 36 for the manifold 34 may be moved to a
position where the diverter valve 36 now allows fluid communication
between the tubing 54 and the dispensing needle 38. The valve 48
for the dispensing syringe 40 is moved to a position where the
cylinder 44 of the evacuation syringe 60 is now in fluid
communication with the tubing 54. As such and with the diverter
valve 36 (manifold 34) and the valve 48 (dispensing syringe 40)
being in the noted positions, the dispensing syringe 40 may be
operated to move the piston 42 in the direction shown by the arrow
B in FIG. 3. Radioactive fluid will thereby be dispensed into the
unit dose container 130 (that is at the second location 100),
namely by flowing from the cylinder 44 of the dispensing syringe
40, through the tubing 54, through the manifold 34, through the
dispensing needle 38, and into the interior storage space of this
unit dose container 130. At this time, the dispensing syringe 40 is
fluidly isolated from both the fluid source 50 and the evacuation
syringe 60.
[0071] After fluid has been evacuated from the unit dose container
130, and after radioactive fluid has thereafter been dispensed into
this evacuated unit dose container 130 (all with this unit dose
container 130 remaining at the second location 100): 1) the
diverter valve 36 for the manifold 34 may be moved back to a
position where the dispensing needle 38 and the evacuation tubing
72 are once again in fluid communication; and 2) the valve 68 for
the evacuation syringe 60 may be moved to a position where the
evacuation tubing 72 is now in fluid communication with a filtered
vent 70. Fluid (e.g., atmospheric air) may then flow through the
evacuation tubing 72, through the manifold 34, through the
dispensing needle 38, and into the interior storage space of the
unit dose container 130 (that remains at the second location 100,
by the second conveyor 20 remaining stationary). The unit dose
container 130 should thereby have a "charge" of radioactive fluid,
along with a quantity of atmospheric air to realize atmospheric
pressure within the unit dose container 130. The piston 62 of the
evacuation syringe 60 may be returned to the position shown in FIG.
3 at any appropriate time (e.g., for an evacuation operation of
another unit dose container 130 that is transported to the second
location 100 by operation of the second conveyor 20).
[0072] The second conveyor 20 may be operated to transport a unit
dose container 130 from the second location 100 (after having been
evacuated and thereafter having radioactive fluid dispensed therein
pursuant to the foregoing) to the third location 110 where motion
of the second conveyor 20 is then terminated. The unit dose
container 130 may be positioned back on the first conveyor 12 at
the third location 110, and the first conveyor 12 may be operated
to remove the unit dose container 130 from its container receptacle
24 while at the third location 110 and to transport the unit dose
container 130 to an ionization chamber (not shown). The
radioactivity content of a unit dose container 130 may be
determined through operation of the ionization chamber in a manner
known in the art. Ultimately the unit dose container 130 may be
removed from the second conveyor 20 while at the third location 110
and in any appropriate manner, and thereafter may be transported in
any appropriate manner to at least one other location, such as an
ionization chamber and/or for disposition in a shielded transport
container or the like (e.g., a container with shielding that
substantially blocks at least certain radiation emissions into the
environment).
[0073] Each of the first conveyor 12 and the second conveyor 20 may
be indexed or moved an incremental amount and on a timed basis.
Generally, the first conveyor 12 and the second conveyor 20 may be
operated such that when one of the first conveyor 12 and the second
conveyor 20 is undergoing an indexed movement (e.g., moved an
incremental amount and after which its motion is terminated), the
other of the first conveyor 12 and the second conveyor 20 may be
maintained in a stationary state or condition.
[0074] The illustrated embodiment uses a second conveyor 20 with
two container receptacles 24 that are disposed 180.degree. apart.
At startup, each of the two container receptacles 24 of the second
conveyor 20 will be empty. At this time, a first unit dose
container 130 may be transported by the first conveyor 12 to an
empty container receptacle 24 that is at the first location 90 (and
while the second conveyor 20 is stationary). The other of the
container receptacles 24 will be positioned at the third location
110 at this time, and will typically be in an empty condition or
state at startup. The noted loading of a unit dose container 130
into a container receptacle 24 of the second conveyor 20 (where
this container receptacle 24 is at the first location 90) again may
be via an indexed movement of the first conveyor 12--the first
conveyor 12 may be moved an incremental amount and then its motion
may be terminated. The second conveyor 20 thereafter may be
operated to move the first unit dose container 130 from the first
location 90 to the second location 100 (e.g., 90.degree. about the
rotational axis 22) where motion of the second conveyor 20 is then
terminated, and that also simultaneously disposes the other empty
container receptacle 24 of the second conveyor 20 at a fourth
location 120 that is part-way (e.g., half-way or 90.degree. about
the rotational axis 22) between the third location 110 and the
first location 90, and all of which may be provided by an indexed
movement of the second conveyor 20--the second conveyor 20 may be
moved an incremental amount (e.g., 90.degree. about the rotational
axis 22) and then its motion may be terminated.
[0075] Once the first unit dose container 130 at the second
location 100 has been evacuated and "loaded" with radioactive fluid
in the above-noted manner, the second conveyor 20 may then be
operated (e.g., another indexed movement of the second conveyor
20--the second conveyor 20 may be moved an incremental amount
(e.g., 90.degree. about the rotational axis 22) and then its motion
may be terminated) to simultaneously: 1) move the first unit dose
container 130 from the second location 100 to the third location
110; and 2) move an empty container receptacle 24 of the second
conveyor 20 from the fourth location 120 to the first location 90.
Thereafter, the first conveyor 12 may then again be operated to
direct another unit dose container 130 into the empty container
receptacle 24 at the first location 90 (e.g., another indexed
movement of the first conveyor 12--the first conveyor 12 may be
moved an incremental amount and then its motion may be terminated).
The first unit dose container 130 may be removed from the second
conveyor 20 at the third location 110 in any appropriate manner,
and thereafter may be transported in any appropriate manner to one
or more other locations as noted above. For instance, a unit dose
container 130 that is removed from the second conveyor 20 at the
third location 110 may be transported in any appropriate manner to
one or more locations and in any order, for instance to an
ionization chamber where its radioactivity content may be
determined and/or to a location where the unit dose container 130
is positioned in a shielded transport container or the like (e.g.,
a container with shielding that substantially blocks at least
certain radiation emissions into the environment). The general
process of this paragraph may be repeated any appropriate number of
times.
[0076] The foregoing description of the present invention has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description.
Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention
to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and
modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and
knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present
invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further
intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention
and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in
such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required
by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the present
invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to
include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
* * * * *